The first half of the nineteenth century held many competing ideologies in regards to slavery. In the same time period, abolition, scientific racism, and anti-slavery existed side by side.

• What were the similarities and differences amongst the rise of anti- and pro-slavery ideologies and movements?
• What were the economic, political, and social developments that contributed to their emergence?
• How you think such opposing beliefs could emerge at the same time?

 

What were the similarities and differences amongst the rise of anti- and pro-slavery ideologies and movements?

The rise of anti-slavery ideologies and movements was meant to bring to end slavery. They perceived that slavery was economically inefficient and was also socially detrimental. Most of the early abolitionists were white religious Americans and some black men and women who had escaped from bondage (Stevenson, 2020). On the contrary, pro-slavery ideologies and movements were focused on fighting abolitionism (Stevenson, 2020). They perceived that slavery as a good thing and supported it with the views that slaves were well treated and happy. Most of the people involved in the pro-slavery movements were prominent whites.

What were the economic, political, and social developments that contributed to their emergence?

Some of the economic development that contributed to such movement was the industrial revolution and the advancements in agriculture (Midgley, 2017). This resulted in slaves becoming less important hence the rise of anti-slavery. Politically, various nations valued personal freedom and believed all men were created equal. The development in their reasoning contributed to the rise of the anti-slavery movement to the nations that practiced slavery. In the social aspect, some of the developments were emotional development from the religious leaders that led to anti-slavery movements (Stevenson, 2020).

How you think such opposing beliefs could emerge at the same time?

I think such opposing beliefs could emerge at the same time since the emergence of anti-slavery affected most prominent whites who relied heavily on slaves hence they had to oppose abolitionism.